i am going to be installing the hood on my 54 soon and i know you need a tool to install the springs.Mine were off already when i got the car.I have seen them online and they look like a simple piece of tubing.Since i work all day in a shop full of tubing and channel figured it might be just as easy to whip up my own.I just need to know the length if someone has a set and a couple pics.Any help appreciated.
dualquadpete said
May 28, 2012
Can't help with measurements but did see a pic. of this tool in use, you fit it up under the rear of fender, hook sprg. on hood & "step" on handle of tool to pull the sprg. down,& somehow hook it on Firewall brkt. My brkts. are long gone. so the "broom handle" is working for me [ for now]
Fitz said
May 28, 2012
You have to take the measurement between the lower hook and the one on the hood fully open, then add no more than ˝'' to your spring mesure.
Thats a good tip for 55 & up but on these cars the spring goes vertical to a hook on the firewall in behind the fender. you either take the fender off or get the "tool" that you have to step on, to stretch the spring & hook it on the firewall hook.
Chief 53 said
May 29, 2012
For installation I stretched mine out with a jack, just like in the pictures but I used wood shims between the coils. My Pontiac hood with horns mounted on the bottom wouldnt stay up but I think the springs were stretched too far during installation the first time.
i am going to be installing the hood on my 54 soon and i know you need a tool to install the springs.Mine were off already when i got the car.I have seen them online and they look like a simple piece of tubing.Since i work all day in a shop full of tubing and channel figured it might be just as easy to whip up my own.I just need to know the length if someone has a set and a couple pics.Any help appreciated.
You have to take the measurement between the lower hook and the one on the hood fully open, then add no more than ˝'' to your spring mesure.
Fitz.
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79696&highlight=hood+hinge+springs
http://autorestoration101.com/2008/04/10/replacing-muscle-car-hood-springs/
Thats a good tip for 55 & up but on these cars the spring goes vertical to a hook on the firewall in behind the fender. you either take the fender off or get the "tool" that you have to step on, to stretch the spring & hook it on the firewall hook.
My Pontiac hood with horns mounted on the bottom wouldnt stay up but I think the springs were stretched too far during installation the first time.
Here you go, this works great!
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/miscellaneous/hoodspring.htm